Ecorse Councilwoman LaTonya Lamb is very familiar with the extraordinarily rough railroad crossings in the city and the damage vehicles can receive from driving over them. "In the city of Ecorse we have three railroad crossings: one is on Mill Street, one is on Salliotte, and one is on Visger Road, and each one of these tracks are in disarray. They're causing problems with residents' cars when you literally have to ride your brakes to go over these tracks. Some people have their tires busted, their suspension messed up and it's also an issue with our ambulance and fire services getting to our residents expeditiously, along with our police. Also the school buses, it takes a toll on the buses as well," she says, adding that the railroad crossings are actually having an effect on the city's first responders when they opt to drive along Outer Drive-where there is no railroad crossing- rather than take a direct route over the railroad crossing to an address when responding to an emergency. "Those few seconds can save a life," says Lamb.

Lamb also wants anyone who uses the rough railroad crossings to be aware that there is an opportunity for those railroad crossings to receive an upgrade. But it will take an aggressive and concerted effort on everyone's part to bring about needed repairs. Lamb recently spoke with a railroad employee who told her that phone calls to the railroad company informing them of the problem is what is needed. But not just one or two phone calls will do the trick, he told her. In fact, the more phone calls the railroad receives with complaints about the crossings, the more likely action will be taken to repair them. Essentially, the squeaky wheel will get the grease.

Lamb says the asphalt that sits between the actual steel tracks is what needs replacement and such repair work is the responsibility of the railroad not the city or state. "What we need is for anyone who utilizes these tracks even though they are all in the city of Ecorse, I think a lot of people use them so if everyone in this downriver community would call, or those in other communities will help us and make that phone call, that would help us get some attention. We need the village," she says.

Lamb has placed a notice in the city's July 12 newsletter so residents know who to call and what information is needed. She urges residents, business owners, and anyone who regularly drives through the city to call the railroad companies and ask for repairs and/or inspections to be made at these crossings. The multiple railroad tracks belong to two companies: CN and Conrail. When calling to complain about the railroad crossings it is best to have the DOT or Xing (crossing identification) numbers on hand which is a six-digit number with an alpha character at the end. Here is the information needed to pitch in and help bring needed repairs.

For the Mill Street crossing, call Conrail at 1-800-799-0994 and give the Xing (crossing) number as 512110A. CN has two different phone numbers for this crossing: 1-800-465-9237 and use the DOT number 867596L and 1-800-465-9239 and use the DOT number 258085V.

For the Salliotte crossing, call Conrail at 1-800-799-0994 and give the Xing number 512147P. Call CN at 1-800-465-9239 and give the DOT number 867599G.

For the Visger Road crossing, call Conrail at 1-800-799-0994 and give the Xing number 511630F and call CN at 1-800-465-9239 and give the DOT number 867600Y.

Lamb says, "Make sure you call. Leave a message. If they don't call you back, call them back. All you have to do is tell them you're calling to request the repair of a railroad track crossing."

For more information see the city's July 12 newsletter on the city's website at http://www.ecorsemi.gov or contact Councilwoman Lamb at [email protected].